title: Heavy metals content, phytochemical composition, antimicrobial and insecticidal evaluation of Elaeagnus angustifolia.
abstract: Elaeagnus angustifolia was analyzed for determination of metals, phytoconstituents, bactericidal, fungicidal and insecticidal effects and to explore its chemical and biological potential. The root, branches, leaves, stem bark and root bark parts of E. angustifolia were found to contain iron, lead, copper, cadmium, zinc, chromium, nickel and cobalt in different concentrations. Crude extract of Elaeagnus angustifolia (Ea.Cr) was tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. Ea.Cr and its fractions, n-hexane (Ea.Hex), ethyl acetate (Ea.EtAc) and aqueous (Ea.Aq) showed bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, while against Pseudomonas aeruginosa only Ea.Hex and Ea.EtAc were effective. When tested for antifungal effect, Ea.Cr exhibited fungicidal action against Aspergillus fumagatus, Ea.EtAc and Ea.Aq against Aspergillus flavis and Ea.EtAc against Aspergillus niger. Ea.Hex was active against all three fungal strains. The chloroform fraction (Ea.CHCl3) was found inactive against the used microbes. Ea.Cr, Ea.Hex, Ea.CHCl3, Ea.EtAc and Ea.Aq caused mortality of Tribolium castaneum and Ephestia cautella insects observed after 24 and 48 h of treatment. These data indicate that E. angustifolia exhibits different heavy metals and compound groups. Methanolic extract of E. angustifolia and its various fractions possess antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal activities, which elucidate medicinal application of the plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Shahid Ullah
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan Department of Pharmacology, Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan arif.ullah@riphah.edu.pk arifullahkhan979@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Arif-ullah
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Azhar-ul-Haq Ali
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Majid
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sajid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sultan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D031263:Elaeagnaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis*; D007915:Lepidoptera / Q000187:drug effects; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects; D012503:Saponins / Q000032:analysis; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D014231:Tribolium / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D007306:Insecticides; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D064209:Phytochemicals; D012503:Saponins
keywords: Elaeagnus angustifolia; germicide; insecticide; metals and phytochemistry profile